History

Can’t even begin to tell you what an experience and dream come true I’ve already had here at the world cup. Honestly the best day of my life. Ok, in comparison to when I go to heaven, it’s gonna remain up there. I’ll walk you through my tears of joy.

I couldn’t sleep knowing I was going to get tickets into the stadium, in one of the best cities in the world for a real World Cup match. Not just nay match but with the world champs Italy vs. striving competing Paraguay. All of this plus the rain pouring down hard all night kept me awake. I rose even before my alarm went off at 7 to get ready for the soccer camps with Living Hope. I rose and sent me messages making sure thre even were camps for the day. I arrived at base with Zach’s team and my new friend Scooter whom we played with on Sunday and had asked her to come with me to the match knowing she appreciated it just as much as I was going to!!! Kevin said still come out we’ll try and figure something out and see if weather clears up. So we took off around 8.
We showed up and despite past results, there were tons of volunteers. Some of Living Hope, some YWAM and some were from Ubuntu alone with Taylor Uni girls. We already had a few kids ther in the pouring rain from who knows where. We rushed into this primary classroom next to the fields just to try and get some sort of communication. This girl Meg looked into this community center nearby and as we introduced ourselves and looked into what Kevin had written down for plans, we tried to look into what we may get to do, IF kids showed up. So we ended up getting the center in the end and I ran with the few wet kids already to the center soaking more, and opened the doors to set up what we could in the tiny hall. We were blessed with it despite not having to pay last minute, but in Ocean View the town was quite dead. No kids really came, we tried to gather together, split center in 3 sections and by about 10:30 at this time, it ended up being not a whole lot of kids to do anything. So we at least prayed and looked into what we could do for the following days if we end up there again the next day. So exhausted and knowing I wanted to get my day going with tickets ahead of me at 8:30pm, we left. I didn’t know what to expect but knew I needed some sleep, so I tried to nap when we got back, and hardly won that battle. I got ready, bundles up, found what red white and blue Paraguay colors to wear while Scooter said she was going to support Italy so we could battle all night! I wore gum boots and this bright yellow coat I had, wore a backpack packed with extra gear and poncho. I was expecting the worst with how the weather had been all day. Scooter had this awesome pink hat on with green bandana and this wild skirt over her soccer pants, and we were off on the train in the rain! Ha! Screaming and already hello Ayoba and Ole ole ole ole…we hopped on the packed train around 3.
When we got into Cape Town, I had friends from base and others who were going to be having drinks and watching the 4pm match prior to the CT match. So we were waiting to hear from Martin where to pick up the tickets.
I got this phone call right when we arrived and he was like basically you need to scavenger hunt and find this building where your tickets are on this 4th floor. Oh man what an adventure it was. We made sure to stop and take pictures here and there, enjoying the moment and also asking where this building was, oh gosh to Africans, you can never get a direct or correct answer. Eventually we found the Murry Roberts Building, and then I see this sign that says FIFA VIP tickiets. YES I said VIP!! I was flipping out. Scooter was flipping out. She was saying you didn’t tell me!!!! I was saying I had no clue!!!! So we take this elevator to 4th floor and realize we’re scooping up FIFA world cup VIP tickets!! I stopped breathing, I shed more tears and we screamed and even had the man take our photo behind the desk. He was like now you even have VIP transport, so I recommend not going to the water front and get to the stadium asap because you can ALWAYS go to the waterfront but not VIP for World Cup with free food/drinks/service etc. So we got directions to the place we needed to catch our VIP bus and we were literally running through the streets of Cape Town screaming and laughing and yelling Paraguay!!! Italy!!!
We found the place when it began pouring down rain again and it was so nice to have these people in suits and lady’s taking us around, taking our passes, taking out umbrellas, check our gear and then get us on this lil bus just the two of us to get to the stadium. The FIFA volunteers have been amazing!!! (needless to say I find out later that during this whole night there was a bomb threat (could have been us), a strike on stewardists and a riot)
So we get to this area of stadium, I shed more tears on the van sharing the moment with Scooter in awe! We thank our escorts and hop in another line of people outside the stadium. Right when we’re about to think we can’t get in in that way, we hear cheering and start working our way through. Again, we’re screaming and loving our VIP tickets with our gum boots and funky attire! People were loving it!
We then start to wonder, ok where do VIP enter? We’re then looking into any and every door we see. It was like we all of a sudden thought we were the presidents! Eventually we get to this entrance where we see access to walk through down by where the team and VIP’s drive in. We show our tickets to this door, and they kept guiding us to the next door, and the next. We’re like, freak man, where are we VIP suppose to enter! The last door, was literally the entrance to where the players go to the locker rooms!!! We were like don’t tell us that’s where we’re going, because if this is true, we’re not JUST VIP!!! Later we found out why we were getting pushed into different doors. Our tickets said VVIP, which we thought wasn’t a good thing. So we go back to this entrance where they tell us to go again, and finally get into this red carpet door. We took our pictures with the desk people there and were again, screaming and shouting with joy!!! We got our free game guides and then whisked to the 4th floor where VIP section was. We enter these doors where there’s people standing holding every drink imaginable at the entrance, I immediately grab some champagne and we cheers to the VIP section!! We took photos, we were screaming, I’m again in black gum boots, bright yellow coat with fur, and a white cap. There were only a few tables at the moment with men in suits. Oh man oh man we stood out like a sore thumb!!! It was hilarious and as soon as I entered I shouted PARAGUAY!!!!
So we were led to this table close to the window doors in this maculate room, and I realize I was being rude and immediately went and introduced us to this table of suited men. I explained how excited we were, and a brief intro of why Scooter was wearing a TUG identification, The Ultimate Goal (network of Christian ministries for the world cup) and then we still feel like they’re wondering why we’re there. I ask the head man, Chuck Blazer, what he does and he says he makes decisions for FIFA. I met all these other FIFA CONCAF execs and wonder, WOW what are we doing here, and why is no one else really here yet, I mean I knew we were early…but it was kinda weird. I thought, did Martin do this on purpose?
We set our bags down and jackets down and I head to the bathroom, I get asked not to leave this certain door, and then I realize when I went out and into the right room, we were actually in VVIP room with Chuck and the other rooms surrounding were VIP only. We had access to them all!!! So we go into ladies room, where I find of course, condoms on the counter for these crazy people, and leave in disgust. We go back to our VVIP and gather our drinks back up. I thought I must make a better impression than this…so I went to join Chuck on the couch.
We instantly strike up football chat, and apparently this man is Mr. FIFA and best part was he started US women’s soccer in 1984. www.chuckblazer.blogspot.com
Chuck then proceeds to ask me if he can see my tickets. This is when I get worried. I give him my tickets and he looks at this VVIP and asks more equestions and I then realize as he tells me, that WOW we set off an alarm literally!!! We were a possible bomb threat. I’m not joking!!! Yes, we had these tickets that somehow we shouldn’t have had access to, we come in randomly, we are brightly colored, not like anyone else there, we apparently had these people downstairs phone upstairs to look for these 2 girls who had these weird tickets, and then when we got into the room we set our backpacks down, a table away from the FIFA men, and then ‘go to the bathroom’ which Chuck proceeded to tell me we set off an alarm and security came suspecting we left a bomb in our backpacks, we even had someone apparently follow us to the bathrooms to make sure we came out. It was unreal! I couldn’t believe he was telling me this, saying the only reason he is doing the research behind how I got tickets is because there was a loop hole or something where he has to make sure that they are safe, that’s why they have high security outside because this is the place VVIP where the governor and etc. all come. So we had slipped through and as I’m telling this Chuck where I got my innocent tickets I started to worry Martin was going to get in trouble. Chuck laughed with me and yet still seemed a bit uneasy that such things happened but said we’r emore than welcome to stay obviously, we had the right tickets now, but that he said maybe it’s because you’re cute you go so lucky. I was like no God has just blessed me beyond comprehend!!!!
Chuck and I got along great, and I loved his Chuck Team with Italo, George and Jerry. We had food, and drinks, coffee, chats, etc. Turns out we knew a lot of the same people like Bayard, the Red Bulls, Timbers, Bernie, etc., it was just madness then we were like buddies who lost the suit appeal and enjoyed one another. I was working the room in my flashy attire of gum boots and George even came up to me giving me the greatest compliment any Christian could ever have… he said some people are planets and some are stars, and you my darling have life and are a star! Now this man has no idea what the night meant to me, but I definitely had more life than anyone else there. Scooter was laughing hysterically and loving it! So funny that they even thought when we came in so loud, that Scooter with her colorful skirt, was actually part of the entertainment!!!! Ha!
We met workers there, hi execs, FIFA people, people from Spain Embassy, I saw the governor and the DA Helen Zella whomI didn’t actually get to meet later.
Chuck was amazing with his stories and was saying things like his favorite friend was Michelle Akers, and Nelson Mandella calls him Chucky. OH man oh man!!!
Eventually we went out to watch the start, but prior I had been in and out of the seating area outside dancing and screaming and pointing to the Italian players on the field like Pirlo! AHHHHHH!
We eventually went to some seats outside, met more great people, even these incredible English and Irish man Steve and Keith who take care of high end people and were enjoing themselves and us so much! We saw Paraguay and Italy have a pretty incredible battle! Oh it was exciting!!! Me and a few Paraguay fans in VIP screamed and cheered and it was incredible to see us excited ones among the rich and famous. They loved it!!! It poured all game, but we were covered and had the greatest view/company ever! Steve and Keith said we must go back to this hotel party on the roof and we couldn’t let the night end.
I had some great talks with everyone and getting to share my testimonies and what I’m doing, my passion it was great to have people who shared the same views and completely interested. Ah I was dancing around in VIP and loving it!
Martin came up to see me, and I jumped on him!!! I freaked out and just expressed my complete gratitude, hoped I didn’t get him in trouble, told him what a dream come true this all is and was, and he kept saying you deserve it you deserve it which I don’t think is true, but God does some incredible things and loves to share in our joys. I am blessed!!!
I laughed with martin when we talked about our experience getting thereon the train, running through streets, looking for face paint, setting off Bomb alarm threats, oh man oh man he just said that’s awesome!!! I love him, and all he does is make me want to be a better person! He has Jesus!
We eventually said goodbye to our friends, George and others asked why I’m not working for FIFA, which I completely agree  and swapped, no wait, only they gave me their fancy business cards. I thanked them over and over and served them coffee and tea just to help around the area. We just loved it!!!
We said our goodbyes to the VVIP and joined our English friend and Irish friend to this party and ran in the rain, and even Mike Packy joined us there on this amazing Hotel rooftop. Not a whole lot happening, but we had an incredible view with this pool and it had FIFA screens to watch matches. I had coffee and the boys leaned in completely interested in my life and why I felt called here and what God has been doing for me and how Football has been a ‘tool’ and they were lingering on this and I couldn’t believe that my mouth wouldn’t stop expressing what’s happened in my life and what God means to me. It was incredible when all this time I felt I had no say and no story and this one flowed about the wonderful TRUE meaning in life despite all that lets you down which are things of this world. It was fantastic. There was even this chocolate formed world cup trophy which I of course has my picture with! I soaked up every moment, and then eventually had to catch a cab from the fanciest hotel to the train station where Scooter and I caught the 1:10am train home. It was packed and had actually other Americans from the match on going to their home stays, and were Christians here ready to leave and volunteer in Algeria.
I ended my night curled up in my sleeping bag in my freezing room, looking through my photos, laughing and exhausted from one of the greatest moments in my life. Thank you Lord for blessing me, thank you Martin, thank you everyone who’s made this dream come true!
I was too tired of course and warned the soccer camps I had this opportunity. So I made sure Amy was there for the camps today, and she was so I slept in instead of head over there. I felt it was the only match I get, I’m ok. They had more than enough volunteers which was part of my job anyways I felt. So today I’ve been trying to get little things done around the house, look into traveling north, Steve mentioned going north, a few others, and even after seeing NEW ZEALAND tie it was amazing and inspiring to get up north for more matches!!!! I have brochures and blessings and excitement I must get out and share it!!!
I’m thinking of heading downtown tonight with many to watch the Brazil match tonight and possibly catch the prayer walk with Justice Acts. I know that a friend of a friend is here Grant Knight from Cascade Surgeand what hes doing here and int eh future. I am getting pushed off, internet is down so going to office to quickly send this out. BUT ANDIE YOUD BE PROUD, I NEEDED YOU WINGMAN!